Rep. Cuellar Statement on Passage of FY 2026 Appropriations Bills

Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and ranking member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement after Congress passed the remaining Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills to fund the federal government. The package funds key priorities across national defense, workers, schools, public health, transportation, housing, local community projects, and federal financial oversight. Congress also approved a short-term extension of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, ensuring the time needed to continue negotiations for proper oversight, accountability, and guardrails in the DHS bill.

"I voted to keep the government open and functioning because shutdowns hurt families, undermine public safety, and weaken essential services people rely on every day," said Congressman Cuellar. "As an appropriator, my responsibility is to deliver results while making sure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and with accountability.

"In this instance, a shutdown would not stop DHS from operating due to the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill. A shutdown would only stop Congress from doing its job. We stand for accountability, oversight, and the rule of law. Walking away is not an option.

"DHS is a large and powerful department, and Congress has a responsibility to ensure enforcement is focused on the most serious threats - not families and individuals who have lived here for decades, worked hard, and contributed to our economy. This extension gives Congress the time needed to ensure enforcement is targeted against criminals."

Beyond DHS, the funding bills deliver significant investments in health care, particularly for rural communities across South Texas.

"These bills include some of the strongest rural health care investments we've seen in years," Dr. Cuellar added. "Health care is a cost-of-living issue, and access to care close to home matters for families."

Dr. Cuellar helped secure $4.6 billion in funding for community health centers through 2026, the largest increase in more than a decade. The legislation also prevents $16 billion in hospital cuts that would have disproportionately affected rural hospitals and vulnerable patients. It strengthens Medicaid support for providers serving seniors and low-income populations and includes nearly $2 billion in value-based Medicare payments to physicians, supporting providers who treat patients with complex medical needs. Additional provisions support telehealth services, behavioral health care, maternal health programs, and the rural health care workforce.

"These investments help keep hospitals open, support doctors and nurses, and expand access to care in rural areas," Dr. Cuellar said. "When providers have certainty, families save money and receive care closer to home.

"This is what governing looks like. You keep the government open, you assert congressional authority, and you use the tools you have to protect our communities."

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Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. is a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Previously, he served as a Texas State Representative and Texas Secretary of State.

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